I’ve always shied away from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Too busy.  Too commercial.  Too many visitors.  And, perhaps most importantly, I felt I could find similar landscapes outside of the park that were quietier, less visited, without the hustle of Gatlinburg.  But that’s not necessarily true.  There are some things within the park that are just special.  I’ve softened to the park, at least a bit.

Roaring Fork is one of those special places.  Originating high up on Mount Le Conte, Roaring Fork falls some 2500+ feet in less than two miles.  Just north of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail carries visitors around a six-mile, one-way loop road alongside portions of Roaring Fork.  

Nowhere outside of the park have I been able to find a mountain stream of this size with as much lush and beautiful moss as Roaring Fork.  Nearly every rock along its course is decorated with this amazing carpet.  As frustrating as it can be to maneuver into and through Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail on a busy morning/afternoon, the reward once you find a place to ditch the car and begin exploring is rich. 

Camera:  Nikon D850
Lens:  Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 @35mm
Tripod:  Really Right Stuff TVC-33

Date taken:  May 8, 2024
Settings:  f14, 0.5 second, iso 125